Even more than most places, Florida has been a state of constant change and growth since the late 1800s. But for a long time, downtown St. Petersburg did not change much. It was fully built out for a time that had passed, the era when it was an inexpensive destination for retirees. That “God’s waiting room” era was at its height when I was a child, visiting this city across Tampa Bay from rural Manatee County, where I grew up, riding with my mother and grandmother across the original, two-lane Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The Green Benches were everywhere for the elderly to sit; the white elderly, that is. This was a deeply segregated city in my childhood.
As a young adult, I knew downtown as an empty and somewhat dangerous shell of empty storefronts and departed department stores. It still had that sleepy vibe when I decided to get a place here in 2005. But the city as a whole was waking up and already there was a thriving gay and lesbian community. I felt at home here and through the years have found St. Petersburg to be an increasingly interesting and vibrant place to live.
Downtown has exploded. There are almost too many high rise condominiums to mention and as the last “highest building” nears completion another even taller is announced. Several have been built on vanishing parking lots; a new one just announced will replace a parking garage just across the street from me.
Views then and Now
A 1930s postcard shows a downtown with some taller buildings only a few stories high. More recent photos taken while I was flying show downtown St. Petersburg as it is becoming something else: a desirable, convenient but increasingly expensive place to live.
I’m not judging the changes, just observing them, photographing them and using them to make art that reflects the experience of living in this time of rapid and obvious change.
Downtown, 1930s
Downtown, 2022
Downtown, February 2024
Downtown, September 2024
Turning Construction into Collage Art
Wherever I go, like almost everyone, I have a pretty good camera in my pocket. So I take pictures of things that interest me.
The downtown construction boom has provided many interesting images. De-Construct uses a lot of those, the prints torn and arranged to create something different and unique.
Art House is a condominium building being built on a small parking lot at the corner of Central Avenue and 2nd Street. It will be 42 stories tall when completed, with retail facing Central Avenue.
The Residences at 400 Central are part of a full block development, which will also include retail and office space. It will top out at 46 stories, 515’, when completed.
I suspect there are more pieces to be found in the months ahead…
Looking west on 2nd Ave S, Art House in center and 400 Central on left. On right is the Priatek Tower, which has had many names through the years.